Chemical, Biological Defense Command (CBDCOM) With its history of more than 75 years of research and development focused on chemical and biological protection for the US Armed Forces, the Chemical, Biological Defense Command (CBDCOM) teams maintain the capability to support the national response to an incident both on and off the battlefield. These teams, located in Edgewood, Maryland, include the Technical Escort Unit (TEU), the Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center (ERDEC) and the Army Material Command Treaty Laboratory. CBDCOM provides staff and overwatch support to the deployment and activities of the Technical Escort Unit (TEU), and maintains an emergency response capability to respond to chemical and biological accidents/incidents worldwide as required to support DOD, Federal, State and local agencies. CBDCOM also, monitors research, development and technology programs of the Chemical Biological Counterterrorism Team (C/B-CT) ERDEC, in support of emergency response forces, and ensures complete integration of technology and responders. Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center (ERDEC) Chemical, Biological (CB) Counterterrorism Team Chemical, Biological (CB) Counterterrorism Team (C/B-CT): The C/B-CT falls under the Edgewood Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ERDEC). It works closely with other federal agencies and develops technological countermeasures and equipment that warns and responds rapidly in the event of a chemical or biological incident. The Chief of the CB Counterterrorism Team cochairs with DOE the Technical Support Working Group's subgroup on weapons of mass destruction countermeasures responsible to both the Interagency and International Working Groups on CB Counter-terrorism Technical Response. Mobile Analytical Response System (MARS) Mobile Analytical Response System (MARS): ERDEC also maintains a rapidly deployable mobile environmental monitoring and technical assessment system, the Mobile Analytical Response System (MARS). This system is a seven component asset that provides for state-of-the-art analytical assessment of chemical or biological hazards at an incident site. The seven modules of the MARS are as follows: Remote Biological Diagnostic Module, a Biological Integrated Defense System for the US Army mounted in a Mil Van van. Modular Chemical Laboratory capable of handling neat agent Real Time Analytical Platform (RTAP), a chemical laboratory mounted inside a step Mobile Environmental Analytical Platform (MEAP), an improved version of the RTAP mounted on a semitrailer. - Remote Chemical Agent Detector (RCAD), an integrated instrument containing a Surface Acoustic Wave and an Ion Mobility Spectrometer detector, coupled with a miniature meteorological station. The device transmits data remotely over a radio link to a central station. Fourier Transform Infrared Detector (FTIR), a detector capable of detecting any chemical crossing through a reflected beam. Mobile Emergency Response Center (MERC), a trailer equipped with chemicalbiological databases, hazard prediction models and secure communications equipment. US Army Technical Escort Unit (TEU) US Army Technical Escort Unit (TEU): This one of a kind unit provides worldwide escort, neutralization, disposal and emergency response to toxic chemicals, munitions, and other hazardous materials. The TEU maintains a 24 hour a day on-call emergency response capability to respond to a chemical or biological (C/B) incident with personnel trained in chemical, biological and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) operations to perform render safe procedures (RSP), damage limitation, reconnaissance, recovery, sampling, mitigation, decontamination, transportation, and perform or recommend final disposition of weaponized and non-weaponized C/B materials and hazards encountered. The TEU provides emergency response for the mitigation of chemical warfare material found at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Formerly Utilized Defense Sites (FUDS), and other environmental clean-up sites, where chemical warfare materials were tested. TEU maintains 2 separate 24 hour, on-call, response capabilities: Chemical/Biological Response Team (CBRT) - The CBRT consists of 10 chemical and explosive ordnance disposal specialists that maintain a 24-hour, on call, 4-hour wheels up capability for worldwide deployment as the first responders to a threat of or actual C/B accident or incident, and emergency response involving chemical or biological agents, toxic chemicals, munitions, devices and other hazardous materials. Alert Team - The Alert Team maintains a 24-hour, on-call capability to respond to incidents involving C/B agents and munitions. In the event of a large C/B accident or incident around the world, this team would serve as the first tier/echelon of any TEU follow-on response package. The response can be specifically tailored, but normally consists of a command and control element including the following: Immediate Response Team - Conducts reconnaissance of the incident site; identifies munitions and hazards; performs render safe procedures on munitions; performs hazard mitigation (within their capability); provides small area decontamination; and advises the onscene coordinator on personnel and equipment requirements. Personnel Decontamination - Conducts decontamination of personnel existing at the incident site; controls entry to/exit from site; and secures clothing/equipment of processed personnel. Also, decontamination support could be obtained from most military installations in the vicinity of the incident site. Equipment: TEU has the following Chemical/Biological Sampling, Detection, and Identification equipment: TEU also possesses a deployable analytical capability, which includes a portable Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer with an associated software library. This system is used to make an initial determination of chemical components in the specified area monitored. Up to 75K compounds can be checked in the library. Personnel/Organization: TEU is authorized 19 officers, 63 enlisted and 68 civilians. The unit's two primary military occupational specialties are chemical and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). Of the 68 civilians, 43 are Toxic Material Handlers which possess skills similar to the military chemical specialty. TEU headquarters is at Aberdeen Proving Grounds (Edgewood Area), with detachments at Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas, and Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. Education and Training: TEU personnel are required to attend a Technical Escort Course which trains them to identify toxic chemical agents or munitions, use decontamination and protection equipment, and conduct disposal operations. In addition, EOD personnel are trained to render safe munitions and explosive devices with the use of specialized tools and equipment. Unit certification includes all OSHA HAZWOPER courses, the hazardous materials packaging course, weapons and tactics training, and first aid and medical management for C/B agent casualties. Personnel are also provided training on C/B Site Identification, Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer, Portable Isotopic Neutron Spectroscopy, Radiation Safety, Commercial & Industrial X-ray Systems, and Commercial & Military Chemical Detectors and Monitors. Deployment: The team can muster in 30 minutes during duty hours, I hour off duty hours and is required to load on a military aircraft with all equipment at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) within four hours. TEU Shortfalls Personnel Shortfall: There are 20 authorized civilian personnel vacancies in the TEU. Approval by DoD to hire the 20 civilians would strengthen the TEU and ensure enough personnel would be available to provide the required initial response force necessary to support a consequence management effort as a result of a C/B attack. Equipment Shortfalls: TEU is fully mission capable, but lacks the depth and robustness to maintain the readiness status expected of this unique national capability. The TEU has many state-of-the-art pieces of equipment, but many are nearly one-of-a-kind. If DoD allocated additional funding, the TEU could procure more of these pieces of equipment to support multiple on-going routine and contingency operations. Highest priority is for real time biological detectors. Other equipment would include non-intrusive and stand-off detection capability for specific agents/materials, multispectral C/B detectors, personnel protection equipment improvements, tools and techniques for mitigation of C/B hazard, and better decontamination equipment. CBDCOM Shortfalls Response Shortfall: If DoD allocated additional funding, CBDCOM could develop a skilled, prequalified cadre of on-call personnel, including senior professional chemists and biologists for a Chemical and Biological Emergency Response Team (similar to the Nuclear Emergency Search Team (NEST). This would include an emergency response center equipped with updated chemical/biological data bases, hazard prediction models, and secure communications equipment. Education Shortfalls: - Technical experts at the CBDCOM have the knowledge to educate and train local law enforcement and emergency response personnel in the nature of chemical/biological agents and how to deal with those agents. If the DoD allocated additional funding a set of short (one to three day) courses could be established for regional and municipal personnel. Training courses could begin within 90 days. Technical experts at the CBDCOM have the knowledge to provide advice, guidance, and consultative assistance to all levels of government including our allies as required. Education and consultation services that could be provided if tasked and funded - An 800 Hotline phone number for emergency assistance for information on agent characteristics, detection, protection and remediation procedures. - Access to CBDCOM expertise for vulnerability assessments, assistance in training exercises, and guidance on hardening facilities against potential CB hazards. Research into expansion of the use of chem-bio military equipment for utilization in the civilian sector. - Maintenance of an exhaustive data base on potential agents, precursors, potential delivery means, and toxicological effects. US Army Nuclear and Chemical Agency (USANCA) USANCA provides expert technical support and assistance to all Army elements worldwide and to other US Government and NATO agencies engaged in nuclear, biological, and chemical programs. USANCA participates in international standardization of NBC matters, establishes NBC contamination survivability criteria, and assists others on the effects of NBC weapons. US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) USAMRID at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, is responsible for the discovery, development, testing and evaluation of medical treatments and material to prevent and treat casualties of chemical warfare agents. USAMRID develops drugs, skin protectorants and decontaminants, and studies several biological threat agents as well. US Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) USAMMDA manages the development of safe and effective combat casualty medicaments and diagnostic equipment, including drugs and vaccines to treat battlefield casualties of chemical and biological warfare or infectious diseases. |